Friday, April 29, 2016

Motion Picture Magazine's Elza Schallert trumpeted MAE WEST as "effulgent" and an impudent wisecracker." No doubt her remarks were meant as a compliment — — but these patches of purple prose make you wonder if Elza was being paid a penny per word. This article excerpt is Part 3.• • "Go West — — If You're an Adult!" • •• • Elza Schallert wrote: That, I learned, was Timony — — her manager for many years, and a character as picturesque and colorful as the Diamond Lil she has written into books, plays and screen dramas. • • Elza Schallert continued: Midway between Timony and Mae tripped and swung Boogey, her little gray-furred pet monkey, who on a later day lovingly entwined his endless tail around my neck and nearly choked me to death. He was no doubt trying to tell me, "I've been savin' some time for you!" • • Elza Schallert added: There never was a manager who shared greater enthusiasm for his client than Jim Timony does for Mae West. To him she is the beginning and the end of everything. Mae is "all there is, there isn't any more." • • "Who first said, 'What a man!'?" he inquires, with threatening emphasis. You wouldn't dare deny that Mae was the original creator of the slogan, for fear of your life. "She did." And: "Who taught all of these babies how to shoot slang? Why, she did." And also: "Who wrote the greatest sex play of all time? Why, she did." • • Some Other Things She Can Do • • • • Elza Schallert explained: And so it goes with Timony. He asks the questions in one breath, and answers them in the next. And furthermore, he never calls Mae by name. His sole reference to her is "she." She is the only woman he ever talks about. Her prowess in athletic achievement also comes in for eulogy [sic] from Timony. • • "She has the most beautiful and strongest feminine body in the world," he proudly asserts. "She can tap-dance, she can sing torch songs like nobody else, she writes the music and words for all of her songs, she writes plays, books, in fact, everything. And here's something else. She can do any strongman act that you see in vaudeville. Go on and get three Arabians — — five Arabians — — and watch her balance them, all at one time. I tell you she's wonderful." • • The immediate reaction of enthusiasm of the public to Mae West in her first screen part, really nothing more than a generous bit, in "Night After Night," with George Raft, Constance Cummings and Alison Skipworth, was remarkable. And her first starring feature, "She Done Him Wrong," based on her sensational stage success, "Diamond Lil," has been an unusual hit, particularly in the larger cities, during a season of indifferent theatre attendance. . . .• • This is Part 3 of a lengthy article written by Elza Schallert. Parts 1 and 2 appeared earlier this week. Actually, Elza's article is even longer — — but this post concludes our excerpts.• • Born in Iowa, Elza B. Schallert [29 October 1894 — 16 April 1967] was an entertainment journalist and a radio host for NBC. Her husband Edwin was a drama critic for the L.A. Times.• • Source: Article in Motion Picture; issue dated for April 1933.• • On Monday, 30 April 1956 in N.Y. World-Telegram Sun • •• • It was on Monday, 30 April 1956 that Robert W. Dana's felicitous coverage of "The Mae West Revue" appeared.• • Robert Dana's popular daily dish "Tips on Tables" was published in the now defunct New York World-Telegram and Sun.• • His column "Mae West's Show Grows" [dated April 30th] indicated Dana had seen the routine previously.• • Robert W. Dana wrote: The old belief that everything should be bigger and better — — a thought most forcefully pronounced by Hollywood trailers — — can be applied with forthright honesty to Mae West, who has returned to the Latin Quarter [in New York City on West 48th Street], where she scored heavily in the fall [sic] of 1954. ...• • On Wednesday, 30 April 1969 in Los Angeles • •• • On Wednesday, 30 April 1969, on light blue note paper (engraved Miss Mae West at the top), the Hollywood icon took time out to send a warm letter to her cousin Tillie.• • The Delker Family: Mae's mother Matilda (Delker) West had 5 siblings who emigrated from Germany to the USA together. By the time the family reached New York, they were Lutherans. Her brother Carl Delker married Miss Mathilde Misdorn on 26 May 1889. Notice the reference to Mae's "Aunt Tillie," her mother's sister-in-law. [I also noted the absence of the surname "Doelger." On Mae's marriage license in April 1911, her mother's maiden name was given as Matilda Dilker, probably a clerical error.]• • Mae West wrote: Dear Tillie: For a long time I have been wanting to write to you, and also send you these little gifts. Some years ago, I received them from Aunt Tillie Delker. I believe they belonged to her daughter, our Cousin Eleanor. I thought you might enjoy wearing them. They are a lovely necklace of garnets and a cameo pin. . . . • • Overheard in Hollywood • •• • Mae West is driving around these days in a bullet-proof steel car. (Those threats, you know.) • • In Her Own Words • •• • Mae West said: "What d'you mean — I'm old-fashioned?" • • Quote, Unquote • • • • Motion Picture mentioned Mae West.• • Hollywood's "Secret Police" • •

• • Burton Fitts wrote: During Mae West's recent court case, when she gallantly defied kidnap and death threats and testified against gangsters who had robbed her, one of my investigators lived in her house, rode in her car and guarded her on the set itself for weeks. ...• • Source: Item in Motion Picture; issue dated for August 1934• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 11th anniversary • •• • Thank
you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these
past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we
reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,400 blog posts. Wow!• • By the Numbers • •• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3431st
blog post.
Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a
newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the
mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and
career of Mae West, herself an American original.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xmlMae West• • Photo: • • Mae West • • learning to shoot in 1934 • •• • Feed — —http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC Mae West

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Motion Picture Magazine's Elza Schallert trumpeted MAE WEST as "healthy, Amazonian, audacious." No doubt it was a compliment — — but these patches of purple prose make you wonder if Elza was being paid a penny per word. This article excerpt is Part 2.• • "Go West — — If You're an Adult!" • •• • Elza Schallert wrote: The movie audiences have become curves-conscious again — and Mae is leading the way. What a woman! • • Elza Schallert explained: There will have to be a franker, livelier display of sex emanating from the screen in the future if Mae West stays around Hollywood for any length of time — — because she spells absolute doom to the hollow-eyed, sunken-cheeked, flat-chested, hipless exponents of the neurotic. A woman has to have what our grandmothers (who rode the bicycles built for two) termed "a beautiful physique" to compete with the effulgent Mae, in the first place, and a wit and quick mind that are as broad as the world and as encompassing. Because Mae slays 'em, on and off the screen, with her unmatchable line of wisecracks, released with a bit of nasal tone through a voluptuous mouth that half parts in a slow smile to reveal white, glistening teeth. • • I shall never forget the first time I beheld Mae West at the Paramount studio. In this town of strange sights, the memory of that picture remains one of the outstanding. She was walking across the beautiful tree-lined square enclosing the "star" bungalows and offices of scenario writers on the lot. • • Picture of Mae in Person • • • • Mae's heels were spiked so high that her walk became a shuffling toddle. Her hands were covered with diamonds, great big fellows. Her skin was as white as the driven snow and as smooth as satin — — a rarity in itself in Hollywood. She was saluting everyone who passed by with wisecracks that dropped impudently out of the corner of her mouth. • • Following Mae was Jim Timony • •

• • Following her, at a respectful distance, was a tall, heavy-set, middle-aged man with a large, florescent face, whose walk was a swaying counterpart of her own. His overcoat was of the light tan early-Mackintosh style; his open coat revealed an expansive bright-hued waistcoat; his suit was a loud black-and-gray checkered pattern; he wore a wing collar and a puffed Ascot tie, in which a diamond horseshoe tie-pin flashily reposed; his hat was a derby, and his cane had an elk's tooth embedded in the handle. That, I learned, was Timony — — ...• • This is Part 2 of a lengthy article written by Elza Schallert. Part 3 appears tomorrow. • • Source: Article in Motion Picture; issue dated for April 1933.• • On Wednesday, 28 April 1926 • •• • On Wednesday, 28 April 1926, Variety (usually hostile to Mae West and nasty) took an early stand against the play "Sex," which had just opened on Broadway.• • Variety wrote: “Mae West … has broken the fetters and does as she pleases here. After three hours of this play’s nasty, infantile, amateurish, and vicious dialog, after watching its various actors do their stuff badly, one really has a feeling of gratefulness for any repression that may have toned down her vaudeville songs in the past. If this show could do one week of good business it would depart with a handsome profit, it’s that cheaply put on.”• • On Friday, 28 April 1939 • •• • Newsweek's issue dated for 28 April 1939 was filled with newsmakers such as Mae West and Lieutenant General Drum (for whom Fort Drum in New York is named). • • Overheard in Hollywood • •• • Imitation Mae Wests. Don't try it, girls. No one will come up 'n' see you any time. • • In Her Own Words • •• • After seeing "The Battle of Atlanta" show in the Cyclorama at Grant Park, Mae West said: "It is the best history lesson I ever had. And I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. If there had only been something like this in Brooklyn, I might have been more interested in history when I went to school.”• • Quote, Unquote • • • • Motion Picture mentioned Mae West.• • Dorothy Donnell Calhoun, Hollywood Editor wrote: Did you ever see a "beef trust" chorus? Ah, you don't realize what you've missed! But Mae West — the blonde girl with the sense of humor — shows you in her newest picture, "It Ain't No Sin." With these healthy Amazons to back her up, she plays a burlesque queen in the Happy (and hippy) Nineties, who drifts down the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans. . . . • • Source: Item in Motion Picture; issue dated for August 1934 • • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 11th anniversary • •• • Thank
you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these
past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we
reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,400 blog posts. Wow!• • By the Numbers • •• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3430th
blog post.
Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a
newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the
mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and
career of Mae West, herself an American original.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xmlMae West• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1942 • •• • Feed — —http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC Mae West

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Motion Picture Magazine's Elza Schallert applauded MAE WEST for her "gusty, wholesome femininity." No doubt it was a compliment — — but these patches of purple prose make you wonder if Elza was being paid a penny per word. This article excerpt is Part 1.• • "Go West — — If You're an Adult!" • •• • Elza Schallert wrote: The fiercest menace that Garbo and Dietrich, Hollywood's choicest exotics, have met thus far is none other than the swivel-hipped, billowy Mae West. She is the lady who threw Hollywood into a panic, the first time she swayed her luxuriant hips underneath a corset of the gay, naughty Nineties and drawled her potent observation, "He can be had!" in that wild extravaganza, "She Done Him Wrong." For all America is taking up her sly invitation to "come 'n' see me sometime!" • • sultry, languorous, erotic emotions • •• • Elza Schallert noted: Mae West is the first and real Waterloo of the Garbo and Dietrich schools of sultry, languorous, erotic emotions. Because she has made them appear slightly foolish — as if they didn't know how to get a "kick" out of life. And whether the vivid and voluptuous, electric and elegant Mae is aware of it or not — and I, for one, think she is — her healthy, Amazonian, audacious presentation of the ancient appeal known as sex has made the world-weary, secretive charm of Greta and Marlene appear feeble by comparison. Women may go for Garbo, but how the men go for the bountiful West — her lureful lips, her bold, insinuating eyes, her lusty. • • As Lady Lou in "She Done Him Wrong," Mae West brought back the Gay Nineties. But she asks: "What d'you mean — I'm old-fashioned?" • • Elza Schallert added: We think Mae West radiates gusty, wholesome femininity! Any red-blooded he-man can understand Mae. She speaks his language and her figure speaks for itself. He becomes her man, but he can do her no wrong. His lush, full-blooded sister understands her, too — and likewise becomes her pal. That's why America is flocking to see Mae on the screen. The movie audiences have become curves-conscious again — and Mae is leading the way. What a woman! . . .• • This is Part 1 of a lengthy article written by Elza Schallert. Part 2 appears tomorrow. • • Source: Article in Motion Picture; issue dated for April 1933.• • On Thursday, 27 April 1911 • •• • Ah, the Folies Bergere. Vaudeville mogul Jesse L. Lasky had built his Parisian-style cafe and cabaret on a Louis XIII scale. Located at 206-214 West 46th Street [opened on 27 April 1911], it was in a prime position within kissing distance of two well-known Broadway theatres: the Globe and the Gaiety.• • Eighteen-year-old brunette Mae West got her first big break when she was cast in the legitimate show "A la Broadway" at New York's Folies Bergere Theatre. Ned Wayburn (Mae's former dancing teacher), who was staging this, pulled her in. The lavish revue premiered on 22 September 1911 — — and lasted for eight performances.• • On Saturday, 27 April 1935 • •• • Columnist Louella Parsons mused in the weekend edition of the Los Angeles Examiner on Saturday, 27 April 1935, that maybe this long-lost husband story was a publicity gimmick dreamed up by Paramount Pictures as they released "Goin' to Town" starring Mae West. • • Overheard in Hollywood • •• • George Raft is sticking with Paramount (his next is "The Trumpet Blows"), and so is Claudette Colbert (who is about to do "Cleopatra" for De Mille). And Mae West is signed up for four years more, and Marlene Dietrich for two. • • In Her Own Words • •• • Mae West said: "I'm not really a hotsy-totsy dame — I'm a serious business woman. A lot of women make dough by exposing their torso. But I make more by doing nothing of the sort. I just keep 'em guessing.'' • • Quote, Unquote • •

• • Movie Classic mentioned Mae West.• • Dorothy Donnell wrote: Mae West: "Diamond Lil." What'll the club-women do about this lady who wrote and acted in the decade's naughtiest plays? When her jewels were stolen the other week Mae said it could never have happened in N'Yawk. She knows all the boys there! Strangely enough she seems old-fashioned in Hollywood. It's glamour, not sex, that's the rage at the moment. A good sport. Address: Paramount Studios.• • Source: Item in Movie Classic; issue dated for January 1933 • • Image: Mae West filming "She Done Him Wrong" in 1932 in California• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 11th anniversary • •• • Thank
you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these
past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we
reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,400 blog posts. Wow!• • By the Numbers • •• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3429th
blog post.
Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a
newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the
mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and
career of Mae West, herself an American original.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xmlMae West• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1932 • •• • Feed — —http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC Mae West

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

MAE WEST was cast in "Night after Night" [1932] and so was Constance Cummings. • • This anecdote, reported in Motion Picture, does not ring true for me somehow. What do you think of it? • • Motion Picture wrote: A smart one, that Carole Lombard, but not so smart as we gave Mae West credit for being, the other evening. Coming from a preview of one of Mae's pictures with Connie Cummings, we were held up by a change of traffic lights in front of a theatre a block from the one we just had left. And from one of its exits, suddenly and jauntily, La West emerged. • • "What a wise woman," I mused, pointing her out to Miss Cummings. "Wise enough to appreciate what an ordeal a preview is, and wise enough to save herself — " • • "Good Lord, I'll bet she's furious," Connie cut in. "Got into the wrong theatre!" • • But maybe Miss West was just indifferent. Maybe she was being a bit like Kate Hepburn. Certainly that Kate girl seems to care little what happens in Hollywood, or what people think of her. . . . What a city of contrasts, this Hollywood! • • Source: Gossip item in Motion Picture; issue dated for April 1933.• • On Monday, 26 April 1926 on Broadway • •• • Written by "Jane Mast" and starring Mae West as Margy LaMont, "Sex" opened in April — — on Monday, 26 April 1926. The Broadway debut occurred a few blocks north of Columbus Circle at Daly’s 63rd Street Theatre, the only playhouse available at the time. "Mae played a Canadian woman," noted Playbill, "with no time for those Mounties."• • The N.Y. Daily News sent a reviewer who wrote: "Most of the 'Sex' appeal falls to the talents of Mae West, a vaudeville actress who somewhat resembles Texas Guinan."• • On Friday, 26 April 1935 in the L.A. Examiner• •• • This article appeared on Friday, 26 April 1935 in the Los Angeles Examiner: Louella O. Parsons wrote "Eva Tanguay Backs Mae in Dispute Over Husband." Notice the timing of Louella's supportive article and Mae's appearance on her radio program on April 26th. Hmmmm.• • Hollywood Hotel on Friday, 26 April 1935 • •• • The popular star of Paramount Pictures rarely appeared on radio. When she did, the sole purpose was to promote one of her motion pictures. Mae West had guest-starred on The Shell Chateau with Al Jolson in 1936 and also on Louella Parsons’ blackmailing program Hollywood Hotel on 26 April 1935, with featured guest Paul Cavanagh in an adaptation of her (then most current) screen gem: "Goin’ to Town."• • Overheard in Hollywood • •• • Murray Feil, managing Mae West, was operated on for appendicitis at the Mount Sinai hospital Saturday. • • In Her Own Words • •• • Mae West said: "She who laughs lasts."• • Quote, Unquote • •• • A trade daily mentioned Mae West.• • "Mae West's New Picture Doing Big at Paramount" • •

• • Ralph Wilk wrote: Thursday's business at the Paramount where "She Done Him Wrong" started its second week at that house was 80 per cent greater than the average business for opening days during 1932. • • Ralph Wilk explained: The picture, which has not been barred in any state, contrary to reports, is doing exceptional business in all parts of the country, according to a Paramount official. . . .• • Source: Item in Film Daily; published on Monday, 20 February 1933 • • Note: Though "She Done Him Wrong," was her first starrer for Paramount Pictures, Mae's name appears above the title. Pretty awesome contract negotiating by Jim Timony and the rest of Mae's team. Brava!• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 11th anniversary • •• • Thank
you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these
past eleven years. The other day we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we
reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,400 blog posts. Wow!• • By the Numbers • •• • The Mae West Blog was started ten years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3428th
blog post.
Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a
newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the
mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and
career of Mae West, herself an American original.• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/________Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xmlMae West• • Photo: • • Mae West • • film ad in 1932 • •• • Feed — —http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWestNYC Mae West